Dance Makeup Tips: BALLET EYES made easy!

JAMcosmetics | Nov 20, 2008 | 0

Everyone is beautiful at the Ballet, of course, but a Ballet dancer's EYES speak volumes!  There is something so stunning about how makeup is used to intensify a ballet dancer's eyes.  It looks complicated, right?  Well, to help you understand HOW and WHY Ballet dancers use such a specific eye makeup look, let's discuss some basic contouring patterns for eye makeup.  Soon, you will be applying your performance eye makeup like a pro!

PRIMA DIVA FACECHART

Basic contouring for eye makeup

When you contour the eye, it means using your darker eye shadow to create and intensify the dimensions of the eye.  There are three main ways to contour the eyes and these can be used together or separately to create a variety of looks.  For Ballet stage makeup, we will use the last two:

1)    Apply contour eye shadow color at the lash line and blend the shadow to gradually fade as it goes up past the crease to the brow bone.  

2)    Apply contour eye shadow color in a sideways V or C shape, on the outer third of the eyelid.

3)    Apply contour eye shadow color in the crease.  

Ballet is wonderful to watch because of the stories the dance tells.  The ballerina is a character in the story.  And when her eyes and head follow through each position as she dances, the audience needs to see whether the eyes are open, closed, looking in a certain direction, or at a specific character.   By applying the darker eye shadow in the crease, we accentuate and enhance the NATURAL shape of the eye.  This allows the audience to follow the ballerina's gaze.  The audience needs to see that naturally shaped dimension in the eye in order to follow the story and stay connected to her character.  By pulling the contour eye shadow color up and out on the sides, giving a winged effect, the makeup gives the eyes a larger and wider almond shape.  A classical ballet makeup look is more difficult to do if you have a small lid space but it can be done well with practice...just like your dancing!  

JAM cosmetics Prima Diva look was designed to help dancers (and dance moms!) recreate this classic makeup look.  You can download the Prima Diva Face Chart with instructions, and follow along with the video on the  JAMcosmetics website.  It is that easy!

JAM cosmetics PRIMA DIVA How-To Video:

Three DO's for beautiful performance makeup:

1) DO use a touch of gold eye shadow - JAM cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow FOOL ME is perfect - in the inner corners of the eyes and just under the inner lower lashes.  This little trick really makes the eyes pop whether you are going on stage or going to the mall.

2) DO apply your stage makeup dark enough to be seen up to the first 8-12 rows.

3) DO practice your performance makeup look.  It is just like learning new choreography.  You cannot expect your makeup to look great on stage if you do not practice and perfect your technique. Get to know your face as well as you know your body!

Three DON'Ts for performance makeup:

1) DON'T use black liquid liner on the inside rim of the lower lid of the eye - it will make the eyes look small on stage.  Instead, use a white hightligher pencil on the inside rim of the lower eyelid to brighten they eyes and make them look bigger.  

2) DON'T use black liquid liner UNDER the eyes!  Too much and too messy.  Use JAM cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow, FEAR ME (wet or dry) as an eyeliner with an angled makeup brush.

3) DON'T forget to enhance your eyebrows.  Use JAM cosmetics Mineral Eye Shadow that is the same color or one shade darker than brows with an angled makeup brush.  (JAM cosmetics, FEAR ME, Mineral Eye Shadow works well because it can be lightened or darkened easily.  It is included in the Prima Diva Makeup Palette).

JAM cosmetics PRIMA DIVA Makeup Kits coordinate with our easy to follow how-to videos, face charts and printable instructions.  Check them out!  

With all these amazing stage makeup tools, Nutcracker performances will never look the same!  Why not recommend JAM cosmetics dance makeup kits, videos, face charts & instructions to someone you know?  

Have a BEAUTIFUL holiday performance!

Jessica Dupont, JAM cosmetics, the ULTIMATE performance makeup resource for dancers.  

See also Top Ten Dance Makeup Mistakes

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